BIG - Bright Ideas on the Gulf Coast. That's who we are, what we want, and how we'll grow. BIG is a community engagement initiative designed to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship in Florida’s Gulf Coast region. For idea generators who seek help growing their idea or venture, BIG offers customized referrals to the specialized assistance they need to get to their next step. For accomplished executives, successful entrepreneurs, and others eager to share their insights, we connect experts and resources in ways they haven’t been linked before, building the network of support in our entrepreneurial ecosystem. BIG is an initiative of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

WHY BIG?

Our region has a wealth of unique assets—an acclaimed digital arts campus, a leading marine-science research institute, a world-renowned sports performance facility, and innovative health providers and researchers. The Gulf Coast is also home to smart, talented, ambitious people with diverse experiences and “big” ideas built with entrepreneurial spirit.
Put them all together, and you have the recipe to develop and attract talent and catalyze successful economic development and growth.

HOW WE DO IT

Think of BIG as a concierge service—a matchmaker—connecting bright ideas with the right resources to stimulate and advance business growth.

Contact the BIG Team

Connecting entrepreneurs and growing businesses with the resources to get to their next step is why we’re here. Our team is focused on connecting the dots to accelerate business creation and development in the Gulf Coast region. Contact us to learn more about BIG or to volunteer yourself or organization as a support resource.

BIG was inspired and created locally by bright minds. By students who wanted to stay here, but couldn’t find the right niche to launch their ideas. By successful entrepreneurs who wanted to share their success secrets with others. By philanthropists who wanted to ensure a stronger and diversified economy. BIG is our idea for launching our region confidently into the future.